28 years in a nursing home from age 21 following a severe acquired brain injury. Niall is about to celebrate his 49th birthday and defied doctors who had told his family that he would remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life. His sister Sandy told his story to Joe Duffy today on Ireland’s biggest phone-in radio show, Liveline.

‘What a remarkable family’, concluded Joe. You can listen to the full programme here.

We listened to the programme on our way to Pádraig’s weekly swimming session. It was a great interview and congratulations to Sandy for speaking up and for sharing her family’s and especially her brother’s story with us! – Sandy brings her brother up from Longford to the Saturday An Saol Café about once a month. Last time, her mother came with her and we got a picture of herself and Pádraig. I don’t know what the magic of her is but she brought the biggest of smiles to Pádraig’s face when she talked to him!